Your essential recycling guide Paper recycling

Recycled paper uses less energy than virgin paper

Paper and card make up 40% of the materials collected from households for recycling, according to Defra. Most of us have access to paper recycling facilities either from home or at a local recycling centre.

According to Waste Online, producing recycled paper involves between 28-70% less energy consumption than virgin paper and also uses less water. 

About one fifth of the contents of household dustbins are paper and card, and about half of this is newspapers and magazines.

Recycling books, magazines and newspapers

Just 30% of magazines and newspapers are recycled

Books can't usually be recycled along with other paper recycling because of the glue that's used to bind them. But there are many possibilities for reusing them by donating to charity shops or selling them through a second-hand bookshop or online auction site. 

There area also book swapping websites such as ReadItSwapIt and BookMooch, set up to help people swap books they no longer want.

There’s no such problem with recycling magazines and newspapers – the main issue with this type of paper is the public remembering to recycle them. It’s estimated that just 30% of magazines and newspapers are recycled, so we could all do with making an extra push on this easy-to-recycle waste.

Paper recycling tips

• There’s no need to remove staples or glue from magazines unless you're specifically told to in your council’s recycling guidelines. Recycling machines can remove small contaminates during the pulping process.
• If there’s no on-street paper recycling bins in the vicinity, take free newspapers and magazines home with you for recycling rather than putting them in a litter bin.
• Support publications that are printed on recycled paper, and cut down your consumption of paper publication where you can. Newspapers can be read online and magazines shared or borrowed from a library.

Not all local authorities recycle envelopes

Recycling envelopes

Not all local authorities recycle envelopes as some paper mills can't process the types of glue used in envelope production. If you're unsure what to do with used envelopes check with your local authority or Recycle Now.

• Plastic windows aren't normally a problem for paper mills as the window can usually be screened out during the manufacturing process. Check your council’s recycling guidelines to see if you need to remove these.
• Padded ‘jiffy’ envelopes can't usually be recycled. Consider reusing these by sticking a fresh sticky label over the old address.
• Stamps can be recycled along with the rest of the envelope, but it’s still a good idea to remove them. Many charities, including RSPB, Oxfam, Leukaemia Care and RNIB, collect stamps to raise money for good causes.

Cardboard is easily recyclable, but not all councils collect it

Cardboard recycling

Some local authority kerbside schemes collect cardboard, or you can take it to a recycling bank.

Check whether your council collects cardboard by getting in touch with the authority directly or visiting Recycle Now’s website.

If you can recycle cardboard

• Empty and flatten cardboard containers as much as possible. 
• It’s also helpful to remove any obvious fastenings such as parcel tape.

If you can't recycle cardboard

• Reuse boxes when moving house, for sorting other types of recycling or donate to local play groups or craft projects.
• Compost your cardboard waste by scrunching it up and putting it in your compost bin with kitchen and garden waste. It also makes excellent mulch for vegetable beds.
• Avoid buying overly-wrapped goods to reduce the amount waste cardboard you have to throw away.

Shredded paper can cause problems for recyclers

Shredded paper recycling

Although shredded paper can be recycled, not all paper mills are prepared to deal with it. When paper is shredded, fibre length is decreased so paper made from it will be weaker.

Shredded paper can also cause maintenance problems and fire hazards when fed into certain types of paper mill machinery, and some mill machines simply can't recognise small or shredded materials.

The good news is some local authorities do accept shredded paper through kerbside collection schemes and recycling centres. But the rules for shredded paper vary across the country so check your local authority’s policy by visiting the Recycle Now website and entering your postcode.

If shredded paper is recyclable in your area

• Don't put loose shreds in an open paper collection box as it could blow away. Secure it under other heavier items or place it in a used envelope or paper bag.
• Shred correspondence that contains personal information such as your name and address.

If shredded paper isn't recyclable in your area

• Avoid shredding where possible and consider tearing off portions of letters that contain personal information to dispose of separately.
• Check with your local authority whether shredded paper can be recycled at any recycling centres in your area.
• Some types of shredded paper can be composted. This is a particularly good use for shredded paper if your compost bin contents are too wet.